Rheumatoid Arthritis at 19

In this powerful episode of Inflammatory!, Debbie and Katy are joined by Hansa, who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at just 19 years old while at university.

Hansa shares her journey of navigating diagnosis alone,hiding her condition at work, managing pregnancy and motherhood with inflammatory arthritis, and finally finding relief through biologic treatment.

An honest and relatable conversation about pain, resilience,cultural expectations, self-advocacy, and raising empathetic children while living with an invisible illness.

Keywords

Rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory arthritis, autoimmune disease, young diagnosis, university diagnosis, chronic illness, invisible illness, biologics, pregnancy and arthritis, motherhood with chronic illness, strength training, self-advocacy, NHS rheumatology, flare ups, chronic pain, Asian cultural expectations, arthritis support, biologic medication, autoimmune parenting

Key Topics Covered

• Being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at 19

• Feeling lost after diagnosis and receiving little information
• Cultural stigma and keeping illness private
• Hiding chronic illness at university and in the workplace
• Dating, relationships, and fears about acceptance
• Pregnancy with inflammatory arthritis
• Managing flares while raising young children
• The impact of biologic medication and finding the right treatment
• The emotional toll of “just coping” with chronic pain
• Learning to speak up and advocate for yourself
• Raising children to understand invisible illness
• Strength training and movement for joint health
• The importance of community and shared stories

Memorable takeaways

• “I hid it from people, and I hid it from myself.”
• Pain became “normal” until the right medication changed everything.
• Speaking up earlier is something Hansa wishes she had done.
• Children raised around chronic illness often develop deep empathy and understanding.
• You shouldn’t have to justify yourself for having an autoimmune disease.

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🎧 Follow, rate & download the podcast wherever you listenIf this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who may need to hear it. Stories like Hansa’s remind us that we are not alone and that life with inflammatory arthritis can still be full of strength, growth, and joy.Disclaimer: Debbie and Katy are not medical professionals. They share personal experiences of living with IA to build connection and community. The podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. We talk about our personal health journeys and the podcast is not intended to provide professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We are not medical professionals and in no way claim to be medically trained. The podcast does not take responsibility for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of the podcast. The podcast does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of third-party content.For more information, head to https://inflammatoryarthritis.org/